System and method for processing payment transaction receipts

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems and methods for processing payment transaction receipts. When an authorization request message for a transaction of a consumer is received, it is determined whether an account associated with the consumer&#39;s portable consumer device is enrolled in an electronic receipt program. If the account is enrolled, an electronic receipt for the transaction is sent to the consumer.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of non-provisional application U.S. Ser. No. 12/962,571, filed on Dec. 7, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,429,048 entitled “System and Method for Processing Payment of Transaction Receipts”, which is a non-provisional of and claims priority to U.S. provisional Application No. 61/290,391, filed on Dec. 28, 2009, the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference for all purposes in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

The legacy process of transaction receipt generation at point-of-sale transactions involves generating a paper transaction receipt (e.g., charge-slip) and maintaining copies of the paper transaction receipt by both the consumer and the merchant. This existing process of paper-based transaction receipts has many issues associated with it. Such issues include the generation and safe-keep of paper transaction receipts by consumers and merchants, which is a major operational hassle. Additionally, the generation and safe-keep of paper transaction receipts involves extensive inventory management for paper, ink cartridges, and other consumables, which has cost and operational overhead. Furthermore, paper transaction receipts involve elaborate back-office setup at the merchant acquirer for retrieval and processing of transaction receipts in cases of disputes, which also has cost and operational overhead. Paper transaction receipts are also problematic in that frequent disputes arise due to erasure of contents on paper transaction receipts. These issues add substantial inefficiencies to the existing transaction process. Moreover, the emergence of new payment products and form factors warrants the need for new ways of managing transaction receipts that fit into the overall consumer experience.

Embodiments of the invention address these and other problems individually and collectively.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems and methods for processing payment transaction receipts.

One embodiment of the invention is directed to a method of sending electronic receipts to a consumer. The method includes receiving an authorization request message associated with a transaction, the authorization request message including transaction information associated with a portable consumer device of the consumer. A server computer associated with a payment processing network determines whether an account associated with the portable consumer device is enrolled in an electronic receipt program. An electronic receipt is sent to the consumer if the account is enrolled in the electronic receipt program. The electronic receipt has financial data associated with the transaction.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a server computer. The server computer includes an enrollment module having enrollment information associated with an account for a portable consumer device of a consumer. The enrollment information indicates enrollment in an electronic receipt program. The server computer also includes a payment processing module for receiving an authorization request message associated with a transaction of the portable consumer device. The authorization request message includes transaction information associated with the portable consumer device. The server computer further includes a mobile gateway module for sending an electronic receipt to the consumer if the enrollment information indicates the account is enrolled in the electronic receipt program. The electronic receipt has financial data associated with the transaction.

Yet another embodiment of the invention is directed to a method for receiving electronic receipts. The method includes sending an authorization request message associated with a transaction to a server computer associated with a payment processing network. The authorization request message includes transaction information associated with a portable consumer device of a consumer. The customer then receives an electronic receipt having financial data associated with the transaction if an account associated with the portable consumer device is enrolled in an electronic receipt program. The server computer determines whether the account is enrolled in the electronic receipt program.

These and other embodiments of the invention are described in further detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a system for generating paper receipts to the consumer.

FIG. 2( a) and FIG. 2( b) depict various portable consumer devices.

FIG. 3 depicts a sample receipt.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for a method of generating a paper receipt associated with a transaction of the consumer.

FIG. 5( a) and FIG. 5( b) depict various systems for generating electronic receipts to the consumer.

FIG. 6 depicts an exemplary payment processing network for generating electronic receipts to the consumer.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for a method of generating an electronic receipt associated with a transaction of the consumer.

FIG. 8 depicts an exemplary format for indicating enrollment in an electronic receipt program.

FIG. 9 depicts a block diagram of an exemplary computer apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the invention involve replacing the legacy process of transaction receipt (e.g. charge-slip) generation with a digital/electronic transaction receipt or equivalent record that is easier to safe-keep and that saves overall costs, such as processing and handling costs, in the process. Digitization of the transaction receipt generation and storage process solves many problems associated with the legacy process because the receipt would exist in electronic form and could be stored and sent over various electronic media. This process not only addresses the problems described above but also delivers an environmentally-friendly alternative to the existing model. Further, by providing receipts, the consumer can be notified of the transaction shortly after the transaction has taken place. This allows the consumer to take immediate action in the event that a transaction is potentially fraudulent or in the event that the transaction details are not accurate (e.g., the price on the receipt does not reflect the price that was intended to be paid).

Such embodiments for electronic receipts are also advantageous due to the increased deployment of personal identification numbers (PIN) and electromagnetic vulnerability (EMV) chip-based transactions that obviate the need for a consumer's signature on transaction receipts.

Transaction receipts are universally used in merchant and self-service terminals (e.g., ATMs) as a proof of transaction. A transaction receipt contains a record of a transaction and information including a card number, amount, date, merchant details, etc. In most cases, the merchant also provides a separate receipt with similar details and additionally a breakup of merchandise. Most transactions require multiple copies to be printed for safekeeping at the merchant, consumer, and the acquirer bank. This is largely a legacy of old imprint based card-transactions.

There are many issues with the existing paper transaction receipt system. Generation and safe-keeping of transaction receipts by a consumer and merchant are a major operational hassle. Extensive inventory management and servicing setup for paper, ink-cartridges, etc. is required for generating transaction receipt from a card terminal at a merchant. An elaborate back-office setup is required at the merchant/bank for retrieval and processing of transaction receipts in case of disputes. Frequent conflicts arise due to poor print quality and erasure of print which is an inherent drawback of the small printer used in terminals. Moreover, the existing paper system is environmentally unfriendly.

Embodiments of the invention essentially replace the paper-based credit card transaction receipt process with a more efficient electronic process. This is achieved through converting transaction receipts to an electronic format for easy storage and access, moving the task of generation of receipts away from the access device (i.e. point-of-sale terminal) at the merchant, moving unique information from the credit card receipt to other supplementary documentation used in the transaction, and providing consumers options to access receipts over multiple channels. With these embodiments, little or even no change is required from the merchant's end.

Based on various environmental factors, embodiments of the invention could take various manifestations. Examples of these are described below.

FIG. 1 shows the existing system and process for generating paper transaction receipts. The system of FIG. 1 includes portable consumer device 102, access device 104, acquirer 108, payment processing network 110, issuer 112, and receipt 120. FIG. 1 also depicts the interaction between these elements.

In a typical payment transaction, a consumer may purchase goods or services at the merchant using portable consumer device 102. The consumer may be an individual, or an organization such as a business that is capable of purchasing goods or services. Additionally, the consumer may operate a client computer to transact with the merchant. The client computer can be a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a wireless phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), etc. The client computer may operate using any suitable operating system including a Windows™ based operating system. The client computer may be used to interact with a merchant (e.g., via merchant access device 104 or via a merchant website).

The payment transaction is initiated when the consumer uses portable consumer device 102 at access device 104, which is located at the merchant. Acquirer 108, which is a financial institution associated with the merchant, can receive the transaction information from access device 104 at the merchant. Acquirer 108 forwards the transaction information to payment processing network 110, which then forwards the transaction information to issuer 112 for approval of the transaction. Issuer 112 is a financial institution associated with portable consumer device 102. The approval (or denial) of the transaction is ultimately sent back to access device 104 for completion of the transaction.

Portable consumer device 102 is a payment device that may be in any suitable form. For example, portable consumer device 102 can be hand-held and compact so that it fits into a consumer's wallet and/or pocket (e.g., pocket-sized). Portable consumer device 102 may also be a smart card, ordinary credit or debit card (with a magnetic strip and without a microprocessor), a keychain device (such as the Speedpass™ commercially available form Exxon-Mobil Corp.), etc. Other examples of portable consumer devices include cellular phones, PDAs, pagers, payment cards, security cards, access cards, smart media, transponders, and the like. Portable consumer device 102 can also be a debit device (e.g., a debit card), credit device (e.g., a credit card), or stored value device (e.g., a stored value card). Portable consumer device 102 could also be in the form of a virtual account.

FIG. 2( a) depicts an example of portable consumer device 102′ in the form of a mobile phone. Computer readable medium 206 may be a memory that stores data and may be in any suitable form including a magnetic stripe, a memory chip, uniquely derived keys, encryption algorithms, etc. Computer readable medium 206 also preferably stores information such as financial information, transit information (e.g., as in a subway or train pass), access information (e.g., as in access badges), etc. Financial information may include information such as bank account information, bank identification number (BIN), credit or debit card number information, account balance information, expiration date, consumer information such as name, date of birth, etc. Any of this information may be transmitted by portable consumer device 102′.

Information in the memory may also be in the form of data tracks that are traditionally associated with credits cards. Such tracks include Track 1 and Track 2. Track 1 (“International Air Transport Association”) stores more information than Track 2, and contains the cardholder's name as well as account number and other discretionary data. This track is sometimes used by the airlines when securing reservations with a credit card. Track 2 (“American Banking Association”) is currently most commonly used. This is the track that is read by ATMs and credit card checkers. The ABA (American Banking Association) designed the specifications of this track and all world banks must abide by it. It contains the cardholder's account, encrypted PIN, plus other discretionary data.

Contactless element 214 is capable of transferring and receiving data using a near field communications (“NFC”) capability (or near field communications medium) typically in accordance with a standardized protocol or data transfer mechanism (e.g., ISO 14443/NFC). Near field communications capability is a short-range communications capability, such as RFID, Bluetooth™, infra-red, or other data transfer capability that can be used to exchange data between portable consumer device 102′ and an interrogation device. Thus, portable consumer device 102′ is capable of communicating and transferring data and/or control instructions via both cellular network and near field communications capability.

Portable consumer device 102′ may also include processor 208 (e.g., a microprocessor) for processing the functions of portable consumer device 102′ and display 210 to allow a consumer to see phone numbers and other information and messages. Portable consumer device 102′ may further include input elements 212 to allow a consumer to input information into the device, speaker 216 to allow the consumer to hear voice communication, music, etc., and microphone 204 to allow the consumer to transmit her voice through portable consumer device 102′. Portable consumer device 102′ may also include an antenna 202 for wireless data transfer (e.g., data transmission).

If portable consumer device 102 is in the form of a debit, credit, or smartcard, portable consumer device 102 may also optionally have features such as magnetic stripes. Such devices can operate in either a contact or contactless mode.

FIG. 2( b) depicts an example of portable consumer device 102″ in the form of a payment card within a plastic substrate. A contactless element 224 for interfacing with access device 104 may be present on or embedded within the plastic substrate of 102″. Consumer information 220 such as an account number, expiration date, and consumer name may be printed or embossed on the card. Also, magnetic stripe 222 may also be on the plastic substrate of payment card 102″.

As shown in FIG. 2( b), the portable consumer device 102″ may include both a magnetic stripe 222 and a contactless element 224. In other embodiments, both the magnetic stripe 222 and the contactless element 224 may be in portable consumer device 102″. In other embodiments, either the magnetic stripe 222 or the contactless element 224 may be present in the portable consumer device 102″.

Access device 104 is a device used to transmit transaction information from the merchant to acquirer 108. The merchant may be an individual or an organization such as a business that is capable of providing goods and services. The merchant's access device 108 can be any suitable access device with interfaces, including point of sale (POS) devices, cellular phones, PDAs, personal computers (PCs), tablet PCs, handheld specialized readers, set-top boxes, electronic cash registers (ECR), automated teller machines (ATM), virtual cash registers (VCR), kiosks, security systems, access systems, and the like. Access device 104 can interact with portable consumer device 102. For example, a consumer using a credit card to purchase a good or service can swipe it through an appropriate slot in access device 104. Alternatively, access device 104 may be a contactless reader, and portable consumer device 102 may be a contactless device such as a contactless card. As another alternative, a consumer may purchase a good or service via a merchant's website where the consumer enters the credit card information into the client computer and clicks on a button to complete the purchase. Additionally, the client computer may be considered an access device 104.

Acquirer 108 may be in operative communication with the issuer 112 of portable consumer device 102 via payment processing network 110. Acquirer 108 is typically a bank that has a merchant account. Issuer 112 may also be a bank, but could also be a business entity such as a retail store or a mobile phone or telecommunications company. Issuer 112 is the entity issuing portable consumer device 102 to the consumer. Some entities are both acquirers and issuers, and embodiments of the invention include such entities. Acquirer 108 and issuer 112 may each have a server computer and a database associated with the server computer.

Payment processing network 110 is located between (in an operational sense) acquirer 108 and the issuer 112. It may include data processing subsystems, networks, and operations used to support and deliver authorization services, exception file services, and clearing and settlement services. For example, payment processing network 110 may include VisaNet™. Payment processing networks such as VisaNet™ are able to process credit card transactions, debit card transactions, and other types of commercial transactions. VisaNet™, in particular, includes a VIP system (Visa Integrated Payments system) which processes authorization requests and a Base II system which performs clearing and settlement services.

Payment processing network 110 may use any suitable wired or wireless network, including the Internet. Payment processing network 110 may have a server computer and a database associated with the server computer. The server computer may comprise a processor and a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium may comprise code or instructions for performing methods according to embodiments of the invention.

The process for conducting a transaction and generating paper transaction receipt 120 for the consumer, as depicted in FIG. 1, is as follows:

-   -   Step 1: The consumer offers portable consumer device 102 towards         settling dues for a transaction at a merchant.     -   Step 2: The merchant processes the transaction with portable         consumer device 102 using access device 104 and submits the         transaction to acquirer 108 by sending an authorization request         message to acquirer 104.     -   Step 3: Acquirer 108 forwards the authorization request message         to payment processing network 110.     -   Step 4: Payment processing network 110 processes the         authorization request message and sends it to issuer 112.     -   Step 5: Issuer 112 receives the authorization request message         and approves the transaction appropriately by forwarding an         authorization response message to payment processing network         110.     -   Step 6: Payment processing network 110 receives the         authorization response message and forwards it to acquirer 108.     -   Step 7: Acquirer 108 forwards the authorization response message         to access device 104 at the merchant.     -   Step 8: Access device 104 at the merchant receives the         authorization response message indicating approval of the         transaction at access device 104 and generates multiple copies         of transaction receipt 120.

Based on the transaction environment, the consumer may be required to sign the merchant copy of transaction receipt 120. However, in some embodiments, a signature may not be a requirement for PIN and certain EMV chip transactions. FIG. 3 depicts an example of transaction receipt 120.

FIG. 4 depicts a flow chart of a method for generating paper transaction receipts. When a consumer initiates a payment transaction for the purchase of goods or services from a merchant, the transaction information will be received by the merchant via access device 104 (step S402). Access device 104 generates an authorization request message containing the transaction details, including payment information associated with portable consumer device 102, and sends the authorization request message to acquirer 108 (step S404). The authorization request message is then sent from acquirer 108 to payment processing network 110 where it is received (S406). Payment processing network 110 forwards the authorization request message to issuer 112. Issuer 112 determines whether the transaction should be approved and sends an authorization response message indicating approval or denial to payment processing network 110 where it is received (S408). Payment processing network 110 then sends authorization response message to the merchant access device 104 via acquirer 108 (S410). Once the authorization response message is received at the merchant, access device 104 prints a transaction receipt for the consumer to sign (S412). Access device 104 also prints a transaction receipt for the consumer to retain for the consumer's personal records (S414).

FIGS. 5( a) and 5(b) depict systems for generating electronic receipts. In one embodiment of the present invention, payment processing network 110 (or other suitable entity, such as issuer 112) creates a mobile-gateway to generate and send electronic transaction receipts as messages to registered or enrolled consumers. The consumer may enroll to receive transaction receipts in electronic form. The enrollment can be performed by the consumer in any suitable manner, such as a phone call to an enrollment center, through portable consumer device 102, through email, through a website for enrolling in the electronic receipt program, etc. Furthermore, the consumer can indicate whether the consumer wishes to stop receiving paper transaction receipts after a transaction or whether the consumer wishes to receive both the paper transaction receipt and the electronic transaction receipt. Additionally, the consumer can indicate how the consumer wishes to receive the electronic receipt (e.g. by email, text message, etc.).

FIG. 5( a) shows a system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The components (portable consumer device 102, access device 104, acquirer 108, payment processing network 110, issuer 112) are similar to those shown in FIG. 1. The process for generating an electronic receipt to user device 114 is described below. Note that user device 114 can be any device used by the consumer that is capable of receiving an electronic receipt, including but not limited to a mobile phone, PDA, pager, computer, etc.

-   -   Step 11: The consumer offers portable consumer device 102         towards settling dues for a transaction at a merchant.     -   Step 12: The merchant processes the transaction with portable         consumer device 102 using access device 104 and submits the         transaction to acquirer 108 by sending an authorization request         message to acquirer 104.     -   Step 13: Acquirer 108 forwards the authorization request message         to payment processing network 110.     -   Step 14: Payment processing network 110 processes the         authorization request message, including determining whether the         account associated with portable consumer device 102 is enrolled         in an electronic receipt program. Payment processing network 110         sends the authorization request message to issuer 112.     -   Step 15: Issuer 112 receives the authorization request message         and approves the transaction appropriately by forwarding an         authorization response message to payment processing network         110.     -   Step 16: Payment processing network 110 receives the         authorization response message and forwards it to acquirer 108.     -   Step 17: Acquirer 108 forwards the authorization response         message to access device 104 at the merchant.     -   Step 18: Payment processing network 110 sends an electronic         receipt to user device 114 if payment processing network 110         determines that the account associated with the consumer's         portable consumer device 102 is enrolled in the electronic         receipt program.

There are a number of advantages to allowing the payment processing network 110 (or a server computer located therein) to send the electronic receipt to the user device 114 after the authorization response message is received from the issuer 112. The payment processing network 110 can act as a “switch” between many different issuers and acquirers (not shown). Thus, a single modification to the payment system shown in FIG. 5 can provide transaction receipts to many different merchants associated with many different acquirers when transactions are made using many different portable consumer devices issued from many different issuers.

In step 18, the electronic receipt can be sent in any form suitable for user device 114. For example, the electronic receipt can be a short message service (SMS) message, a multi-media service (MMS) message (e.g. an image of receipt), an email, etc. It is important to note that the trigger for the electronic receipt could be completion of the online transaction successfully over payment processing network 110, indication of successful completion of transaction by acquirer 108, or at any other suitable point during the transaction. It is also important to note that user device 114 might also be the same device as portable consumer device 102.

The electronic receipt may include any or all of the data elements that are on a paper receipt (such as in FIG. 3). For example, the electronic receipt may include one or more of the following (e.g., at least a combination of 4, 5, 6 or more): a merchant identifier, a store identifier, a cashier identifier, a transaction date, a subtotal for the transaction, a sales tax amount, a total amount, a masked or partially masked payment card account number, a masked expiration date, an approval code, a date of transaction, a time of transaction, and a total payment amount. The transaction receipts may also have, in some cases, digital signatures from either a payment processor, or issuer, to verify its authenticity. That is, the electronic receipts may be used in place of paper receipts (or in addition to them) so the actual electronic receipt must be verifiable as being authentic.

Transaction receipts can also be distinguishable from transaction alerts. Transaction alerts are typically sent as a supplement to paper receipts. Also, transaction alerts typically do not include the same level of detail as transaction receipts, and are not used as proof that a transaction has occurred. Further, the electronic receipts can be used as proof that a transaction occurred, and can be used to return goods to a merchant or get a refund for goods or services.

FIG. 5( b) shows another embodiment of the system for generating electronic receipts. In this embodiment, payment processing network 110 (or issuer 112 in some embodiments) provides consumer access to electronic transaction receipts over an Internet portal. In other embodiments, the electronic transaction receipt can be sent as an email. Payment processing network 110 (or issuer 112) provides consumer access to electronic transaction receipts over an online portal by maintaining, for example, a website for accessing the consumer's online account associated with portable consumer device 102. The consumer may subscribe to the service. The process for generating and sending electronic receipts in this embodiment is as follows:

-   -   Step 21: The consumer offers portable consumer device 102         towards settling dues for a transaction at a merchant.     -   Step 22: The merchant processes the transaction with portable         consumer device 102 using access device 104 and submits the         transaction to acquirer 108 by sending an authorization request         message to acquirer 104.     -   Step 23: Acquirer 108 forwards the authorization request message         to payment processing network 110.     -   Step 24: Payment processing network 110 processes the         authorization request message, including determining whether the         account associated with portable consumer device 102 is enrolled         in an electronic receipt program. Payment processing network 110         sends the authorization request message to issuer 112.     -   Step 25: Issuer 112 receives the authorization request message         and approves the transaction appropriately by forwarding an         authorization response message to payment processing network         110.     -   Step 26: Payment processing network 110 receives the         authorization response message and forwards it to acquirer 108.     -   Step 27: Acquirer 108 forwards the authorization response         message to access device 104 at the merchant.     -   Step 28: Payment processing network 110 sends an electronic         receipt to the user account 150 if payment processing network         110 determines that the account associated with the consumer's         portable consumer device 102 is enrolled in the electronic         receipt program.

In step 28, electronic receipts are available to the consumer's online user account 150 over an internet portal. If the electronic receipt program is being offered by issuer 112, this could be a part of the consumer's regular online account access. It could alternately be sent to a consumer as an email.

In another embodiment of the present invention a merchant copy of the transaction receipt continues in paper form while the consumer copy is sent in electronic form. Legal reasons may make it necessary for the merchant to retain a signed paper copy of a consumer transaction receipt. The consumer may register or enroll to receive transaction receipts in electronic form. The merchant copy of the transaction receipt continues to be printed, however the consumer copy is processed in electronic form.

FIG. 6 depicts an example of payment processing network 110 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Payment processing network 110 includes a server computer 300 capable of accessing database 310. Server computer 300 also includes a processor for processing any computer-readable instructions stored on computer-readable media. Server computer 300 contains enrollment module 302, mobile gateway module 304, and payment processing module 306, each of which contains computer-readable instructions stored on computer-readable media for performing at least the functions described below. It should be noted that in other embodiments, the functionality of enrollment module 302, mobile gateway module 304, and payment processing module 306 can reside at issuer 112 or at any other suitable entity.

Enrollment module 306 may enroll a consumer in the electronic receipt program. As described above, enrollment can occur in any suitable manner, such as through a phone call, email, text, online enrollment, etc. That is, a consumer may request enrollment through any suitable means. Once a consumer is enrolled using enrollment module 306, the enrollment information may be sent and stored in database 310. The enrollment information can be subsequently accessed from database 310 during a consumer's transaction in order to determine whether the consumer is enrolled in the electronic receipt program. Enrollment module 306 uses the authorization request message or the authorization response message to look up an account and determine whether the account is enrolled in the electronic receipt program.

Mobile gateway module 304 may be used to provide the electronic receipt to the consumer, whether it is to the consumer's user device 114 or the online user account 150. Mobile gateway module 304 may be used in any suitable manner to notify the consumer that an electronic receipt is ready to be accessed.

Payment processing module 306 is the module that performs a typical payment transaction process. This module receives the authorization request message from acquirer 108, sends the authorization request message to issuer 112 for approval, receives the authorization response message from issuer 112, and sends the authorization response message to acquirer 108.

FIG. 7 depicts a flowchart of a method for generating electronic receipts in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The merchant receives the transaction information at the merchant's access device 104. As discussed in detail above, the transaction information is received from the consumer's portable consumer device 102 and includes information such as the consumer's account information and purchase details (S502). Access device 104 generates an authorization request message with the transaction information and sends the authorization request message to acquirer 108 (S504). Acquirer then sends the authorization request message to payment processing network 110, where it is received (S506). The authorization request message is then forwarded to issuer 112, and issuer 112 generates an authorization response message indicating whether the transaction is authorized (i.e. whether there are sufficient funds in the consumer's account). Payment processing network 110 receives the authorization response message from issuer 112, including receiving transaction information associated with portable consumer device 102 (S508). Payment processing network 110 then determines (using either the authorization request message or authorization response message) whether the consumer's account is enrolled in the electronic receipt program by accessing the stored enrollment information in database 310 (S510). If the consumer's account is not enrolled in the electronic receipt program, a normal authorization response message is sent to the merchant via acquirer 108 and access device 104 (S512). A paper receipt is then printed by access device 104 for the consumer to sign (S514). Additionally, a paper receipt is printed for the consumer to retain for the consumer's personal records (S516).

If the consumer's account is enrolled in the electronic receipt program, payment processing network 110 will modify the authorization response message received from issuer 112 and send the modified authorization response message to the merchant via acquirer 108 and access device 104 (S518). The authorization response message received from issuer 112 is modified to include an indicator indicating enrollment in the electronic receipt program. Access device 104 can use this indicator to determine that a paper receipt should not be printed for the consumer. An electronic receipt is subsequently sent to the consumer via the consumer's user device 114 or user account 150 (S520).

FIG. 8 depicts one embodiment of a format for indicating the consumer's enrollment in the electronic receipt program in the authorization response message. This data can include the authorization response message received from issuer 112, including a primary account number (PAN), expiration date, service code, PIN verification, CVV data, and any additional discretionary data, such as whether the transaction is authorized. The original authorization response message can be modified to include or add an indicator, which indicates whether the account associated with portable consumer device 102 is enrolled in the electronic receipt program. Additionally, the original authorization response message can be modified to include or add any other enrollment information by modifying the additional discretionary data portion of the message. For example, the modification can indicate that the consumer also wants a printed receipt at the merchant or that a printed receipt should not be given.

The various participants (e.g., access device 104, merchant, acquirer 108, payment processing network 110, and issuer 112) and elements in FIGS. 1, 2(a), 2(b), 5(a), 5(b), and 6 may operate one or more computer apparatuses to facilitate the functions described herein. Any of those elements may use any suitable number of subsystems to facilitate the functions described herein. Examples of such subsystems or components are shown in FIG. 9. The subsystems shown in FIG. 9 are interconnected via a system bus 775. Additional subsystems such as a printer 774, keyboard 778, fixed disk 779 (or other memory comprising computer readable media), monitor 776, which is coupled to display adapter 782, and others are shown. Peripherals and input/output (I/O) devices, which couple to I/O controller 771, can be connected to the computer system by any number of means known in the art, such as serial port 777. For example, serial port 777 or external interface 781 can be used to connect the computer apparatus to a wide area network such as the Internet, a mouse input device, or a scanner. The interconnection via system bus 775 allows the central processor 773 to communicate with each subsystem and to control the execution of instructions from system memory 772 or the fixed disk 779, as well as the exchange of information between subsystems. The system memory 772 and/or the fixed disk 779 may embody a computer readable medium.

It should be understood that the present invention as described above can be implemented in the form of control logic using computer software in a modular or integrated manner. Based on the disclosure and teachings provided herein, a person of ordinary skill in the art will know and appreciate other ways and/or methods to implement the present invention using hardware and a combination of hardware and software.

Any of the software components or functions described in this application, may be implemented as software code to be executed by a processor using any suitable computer language such as, for example, Java, C++ or Perl using, for example, conventional or object-oriented techniques. The software code may be stored as a series of instructions, or commands on a computer readable medium, such as a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a magnetic medium such as a hard-drive or a floppy disk, or an optical medium such as a CD-ROM. Any such computer readable medium may reside on or within a single computational apparatus, and may be present on or within different computational apparatuses within a system or network.

The above description is illustrative and is not restrictive. Many variations of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the disclosure. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined not with reference to the above description, but instead should be determined with reference to the pending claims along with their full scope or equivalents.

One or more features from any embodiment may be combined with one or more features of any other embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention.

A recitation of “a”, “an” or “the” is intended to mean “one or more” unless specifically indicated to the contrary. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: receiving, at a computer apparatus, account information associated with a portable consumer device of a consumer; sending an authorization request message associated with a transaction, the authorization request message including the account information associated with the portable consumer device of the consumer; receiving an authorization response message from a server computer that includes an indicator that an account associated with the portable consumer device is enrolled in an electronic receipt program and indicates whether or not the consumer wants a printed receipt at the merchant, based on a determination using the authorization request message that the account associated with the portable consumer device is enrolled in an electronic receipt program; and determining, based on the indicator in the authorization response message, that a paper receipt should not be printed for the consumer, wherein an electronic receipt having financial data associated with the transaction is sent to the consumer.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the portable consumer device is in the form of a virtual account.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein electronic receipt having financial data associated with the transaction is sent to the consumer via the portable consumer device.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the electronic receipt includes at least one of the following data elements: a merchant identifier, a store identifier, a cashier identifier, a transaction date, a subtotal for the transaction, a sales tax amount, a total amount, a masked payment card account number, a masked expiration data, an approval code, a time of the transaction, and a total payment amount.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the electronic receipt comprises a digital signature.
 6. A computer apparatus comprising: a processor; and a computer readable medium coupled with the processor, the computer readable medium comprising code to be executed by a processor to perform the method of claim
 1. 7. A method comprising: conducting a transaction using a portable consumer device wherein account information associated with the portable consumer device is received by a computer and an authorization request message associated with the transaction is sent that includes the account information associated with the portable consumer device of the consumer, and an authorization response message is received from a server computer that includes an indicator that an account associated with the portable consumer device is enrolled in an electronic receipt program and indicates whether or not the consumer wants a printed receipt at the merchant, based on a determination using the authorization request message that the account associated with the portable consumer device is enrolled in an electronic receipt program; receiving, at a computer apparatus, an electronic receipt having financial data associated with the transaction, based on the indicator in the authorization response message that the account associated with the portable consumer device is enrolled in an electronic receipt program that indicates whether or not the consumer wants a printed receipt at the merchant, based on a determination using the authorization request message that an account associated with the portable consumer device is enrolled in an electronic receipt program.
 8. The method of claim 7 further comprising: requesting enrollment in an electronic receipt program to receive transaction receipts in electronic form indicating whether or not the consumer wants a printed receipt at the merchant.
 9. The method of claim 7 wherein the electronic receipt comprises a digital signature.
 10. The method of claim 7 wherein the portable consumer device is in the form of a virtual account.
 11. The method of claim 7 wherein the computer apparatus is the portable consumer device.
 12. The method of claim 7 wherein the computer apparatus is a mobile phone, PDA, pager, or computer.
 13. A computer readable medium comprising code to be executed by a processor to perform the method of claim
 7. 14. A method comprising: receiving at a server computer associated with a payment processing network, an authorization request message associated with a transaction, the authorization request message including transaction information associated with a portable consumer device in the form of a virtual account of the consumer; determining by the server computer associated with the payment processing network, using the authorization request message, whether the virtual account of the consumer is enrolled in an electronic receipt program; and sending, by the server computer associated with the payment processing network, an electronic receipt to the consumer based on determining that the virtual account of the consumer is enrolled in the electronic receipt program, the electronic receipt having financial data associated with the transaction.
 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: receiving an authorization response message from an issuer in response to the authorization request message; and generating a modified authorization response message by adding an indicator to the authorization response message based on determining that the virtual account of the consumer is enrolled in the electronic receipt program, wherein the indicator indicates the consumer is enrolled in the electronic receipt program.
 16. The method of claim 14, further comprising: sending the authorization response message with the indicator to a merchant facilitating the transaction, wherein the indicator indicates whether the merchant should provide a paper receipt to the consumer.
 17. The method of claim 14, further comprising: receiving from the consumer a request to enroll in the electronic receipt program; and enrolling the consumer in the electronic receipt program.
 18. The method of claim 14, further comprising: maintaining a website for accessing an online account associated with the portable consumer device; and sending the electronic receipt to the consumer via the online account.
 19. The method of claim 14, wherein the electronic receipt is sent to a mobile phone associated with the consumer.
 20. The method of claim 14 wherein the electronic receipt comprises a digital signature.
 21. A server computer comprising: a processor; and a computer readable medium coupled with the processor, the computer readable medium comprising code to be executed by a processor to perform the method of claim
 14. 